Hundreds of Congolese nationals are pouring into Uganda following heavy gunfire exchange between government forces and M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo.
Some of the refugees found at Bunagana border post in Kisoro District in western Uganda said they had walked about 40km from their troubled homes as government forces tried to flush out the rebels.
The heavy fighting is said to have broken out in the areas of Chanzu, Kiisiza, Ruyoni and Mbuzi in the North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“I have never seen such a big number of Congolese refugees entering Uganda in my life. In the past conflicts we would see dozens entering into our country seeking refugee but this time around, it’s too much,” Mr. Amosiyasi Mutwale, a local trader at Bunagana town council told reporters.
Mr Mutwale said that some of the fleeing Congolese looked exhausted, a confirmation that they walked long distances before entering Uganda. Some of the refugees were seen carrying personal belongings on their heads while others had their domestic animals such as goats and cows.
The Kisoro Resident District Commissioner, Mr Peter Mugisha on Monday said that about 4,000 Congolese refugees had entered Uganda by 11 Am and that his office had already deployed police, UPDF and intelligence officials at Bunagana border post.
“We are appealing to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other international humanitarian organizations for support to help these refugees. Plans are underway to reinforce the security in Kisoro District to ensure that our international boundary remains peaceful,” Mr Mugisha said.